Commissioner Pushes Non-Discrimination Law In Royal Oak

Indian gay activists hold hands while crossing a road as they celebrate the New Delhi High Court ruling decriminalising gay sex, in New Delhi on July 2, 2009. A top Indian court issued a landmark ruling decriminalising gay sex between consenting adults, overturning colonial-era legislation that outlawed homosexuality. The New Delhi High Court ruled that an existing statute prohibiting homosexual acts was discriminatory and therefore a "violation of fundamental rights" accorded under the constitution. AFP PHOTO/MANAN VATSYAYANA (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images)Getty Images

DETROIT (WWJ) The Royal Oak City Commission will consider drafting an ordinance Monday night to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation and a host of other things like height and weight.

It’s being proposed by City Commissioner Jim Rasor, who also has a law practice in Royal Oak.

“I own a business and I am a job creator, I could walk in tomorrow to one of the young attorney’s office and say ‘Your heterosexual lifestyle is not compatible with this firm’s goals’ — He has no remedy under federal or state law for that,” Rasor said.

Voters overwhelmingly rejected a similar proposal in 2001, but Rasor thinks attitudes have changed since then. Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Birmingham and Ferndale already have a Human Rights Ordinance.

“We are one of the pre-eminent communities in southeastern Michigan that is diverse and eclectic and cosmopolitan. Beaumont Hospital and 89 percent of the Fortune 500 companies have non-discrimination in their employment agreements that I’m seeking to put in Royal Oak’s,” Rasor said.